Potential Chargers target Graham Gano to re-sign with Panthers

If the Chargers want to find a new kicker on the market, they’ll have to keep seeking beyond Panthers kicker Graham Gano after the team locked him up to a long-term deal Tuesday, per NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport.

Chargers coach Anthony Lynn said a point of emphasis this offseason will be finding a consistent kicker who can stick around long term.

Los Angeles began 2017 by cutting Josh Lambo and deciding on undrafted rookie kicker Younghoe Koo, only to cut him just four games into the season. Koo had a 44-yard field goal attempt blocked against the Broncos Week 1, missed another 44-yard attempt against the Dolphins Week 2 and didn’t possess a strong enough leg to justify his inaccuracy for the front office.

That wasn’t the end of L.A.’s kicking woes, however, as the team went on to sign kickers Nick Novack, Travis Coons and Nick Rose over the next 10 weeks. Novack got hurt while Coons and Rose proved to be an outright disaster.

In January, the Bolts locked up the Buccaneers’ former second-round pick in 2016, kicker Roberto Aguayo, to a reserve/future contract. Aguayo has had his fair share of struggles as he has bounced around the league due to inconsistency. The team will continue to seek out a veteran to compete for the starting job with him.